Speaking to Italian press at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, Luca di
Montezemolo defied suggestions that the 37-year-old German is shaping
up to quit the sport he has dominated for a full decade.

''If you ask me,'' the Italian told La Gazzetta dello Sport, ''it does
not look like Michael is at the end of his career -- it seems he is at
the beginning.''

Montezemolo suggested that a former champion in his twilight years
would not be as keen as Schumacher to test all winter.

He said: ''Michael tested personally in Bahrain, today he is at
Mugello for a race simulation, he has been in Valencia and Fiorano.

''He is fully concentrated.''

So, Mr. Montezemolo; will your red cars be on top again in 2006, after
a Renault and McLaren trouncing last year?

''I always say that we must win,'' he told a reporter, ''but I know
that it is not so simple -- everyone must push to the absolute
maximum. I am happy that at least we have more normal rules this
time.''

F1 car to roar in Arabia
(GMMf1NET -- Mar.1) For the first time ever, a formula one car is to
speed on the streets of Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday, Red Bull's Dutch 'Friday' test driver Robert Doornbos
will do the deed, according to the English-language Middle East
newspaper, Arab News.

''I'm delighted to visit the Kingdom for the road show,'' said the
24-year-old driver. ''I've heard a lot about the hospitality of Saudi
people and their achievements in sports.''

Arab News wrote: ''Organizers said ... all safety and other measures
have been taken to make the show a success.''

Glock on Aguri list - manager
(GMMf1NET -- Mar.1) German driver Timo Glock was on a shortlist to
assume the 'Friday' job at Super Aguri in 2006, his manager said on
Tuesday.

Although the 23-year-old former Jordan racer has penned his switch
from Champ Car to GP2, manager Hans-Bernd Kamps told 'MSA' that
contact was made between him and the new Japanese team some weeks ago.

Although Glock could not 'Friday' test the Aguri car at all F1 grands
prix this year, he would be available to drive at rounds before the
GP2 championship kicks off in April.

However, reports on Wednesday suggest that Super Aguri will not have a
third car ready until later this month, meaning that a 'Friday' driver
won't even be needed until the Melbourne race (round 3).

Franck Montagny, likely to be the team's non-driving 'reserve' nominee
at the first two 2006 races, and James Rossiter, have also been linked
with Aguri's spare test seat.

Berger doesn't want Bernie's job
(GMMf1NET -- Mar.1) Toro Rosso part-owner Gerhard Berger has ruled
himself out of the running to one day succeed Bernie Ecclestone as 'F1
supremo'.

Although Bernie, the 75-year-old Englishman, appears in excellent
health, relentless speculation puts men like David Richards and Flavio
Briatore on a shortlist to steer the pinnacle of motor sport in a
post-Ecclestone era.

But 46-year-old Berger, who started 210 grands prix in the 80s and 90s
and then was a BMW director until 2003, told the 'Kicker' sports
magazine that he cannot see himself in Ecclestone's white shirt.

''It's too big a job for me,'' F1's newest team co-owner smiled.
''Anyway, I am of the opinion that Ecclestone and Max Mosley are doing
an excellent job.

''And I hope Bernie leads F1 for many years to come.''

DC fit for Valencia run
(GMMf1NET -- Mar.1) David Coulthard has reportedly recovered from a
back injury that put him out of last week's F1 test in Spain.

The Scot trapped a nerve while exercising in the morning, and four
laps around Barcelona in the Red Bull car later, he called it a day
due to pain.

After extensive physio work, however, 34-year-old DC is apparently
back in Spain, to drive at the team's final winter test at Valencia,
easing speculation that he could be forced to sit out next Sunday's
opening grand prix of 2006.

Aguri tests new 2006 livery
(GMMf1NET -- Mar.1) In a new race livery and with 2006-legal bodywork,
Super Aguri gave a sneak preview of its Bahrain debut with a
Silverstone shakedown on Tuesday.

With race lineup Takuma Sato and Yuji Ide at the wheel, the pair were
driving two predominantly white 'SA05' cars, featuring the word
'Honda' on the rear wing and a striking red stripe from the tip of the
nose to the rear engine cover.

At the Geneva Motor Show, it was announced that the silver 6.3 liter
'CLK 63 AMG' coupe V8 - with modified brakes, suspension, cooling,
weight and exhaust - would debut at the Bahrain opener next weekend.

Bernd Maylander is, again, the full time driver of the 481 hp car.

The road version 'CLK 63', which will be 150kg heavier than the safety
car, will not be available until later this year.

That is the claim of Dr Mario Theissen, who worked with the German at
Williams last year and now leads the 28-year-old at BMW Sauber.

''What he did in 2005 proved to me that, with the right package, he
can become the champion,'' Germany's Theissen told ADAC Motorwelt.

Theissen, however, is less gushing about Nick's 2006 teammate, Jacques
Villeneuve. It has been suggested that BMW only retained the French
Canadian - world champion of 1997 - because cancelling his contract
would have cost the carmaker too much.

Referring to JV, 34, the German said: ''He is confident that he can
continue to improve.''

Theissen is keeping expectations for BMW's first year as a team owner
low, but he insists that the 'F1.06' car is at least better than the
'05 Sauber.

''Both drivers say that our car is clearly better than last year's,''
he confirmed. '''The lap times in tests are pleasing, and the car runs
quite reliably.''

Williams' new 29-year-old test driver, who debuted in grands prix for
Jordan last year, said he would select drivers, 'groom them and help
them participate in ... events'.

Karthikeyan told the Hindustan Times newspaper: ''I don't want Indian
youngsters to go through what I experienced, hunting for sponsorships
and trying to find my way up.

''We're a country of a billion people and I'm sure a lot more racing
talent can be found here.''

Narain said he would launch the project 'soon'.

Rossi focused on bikes - Montezemolo
(GMMf1NET -- Mar.1) Luca di Montezemolo has added to speculation that,
so close to the new MotoGP season, Valentino Rossi will put F1 on the
back burner.

Rossi, 26, reinvigorated gossip of his 2007 switch from two wheels to
Ferrari by recently testing - with impressive results - in the company
of F1 drivers.

But at the launch of his new MotoGP campaign with Yamaha this week, he
hinted that F1 would now take a back seat to bikes.

''Have mercy,'' di Montezemolo, president of Ferrari, joked to
inquisitive reporters at the Geneva Motor Show after Rossi was
mentioned.

The press corps probed him for an update on Rossi's secretive
intentions for the future.

He told La Gazzetta dello Sport:' ''Valentino is an able and
intelligent boy, so he can speak for himself.

''I think he is not saying anything at the moment,'' Luca di
Montezemolo contemplated, ''because he wants to win in 2006 on his
motorcycle.''

Mondini to be MF1's first 'Friday' runner
(GMMf1NET -- Mar.1) Giorgio Mondini will steer MF1's 'Friday' spare
car at the Bahrain season opener next week, before handing over to
Markus Winkelhock for Malaysia.

The Midland owned team announced the news while the pair tested at
Silverstone on Wednesday.

Adrian Sutil will also get a chance to drive in grand prix practice
this year, but Swiss-Italian Mondini is to do the lion's share of
running, with at least nine 'Friday' appearances.

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